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Padres sign RHP Vince Velasquez to Minor League contract

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Padres sign RHP Vince Velasquez to Minor League contract

Right-hander expected to start this weekend in St. Louis

 

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez to a minor league contract, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller announced today.Velasquez is expected to be added to the Padres active 28-man roster this weekend in St. Louis and make a start during the three-game series against the Cardinals.

 

The 29-year-old Velasquez went 3-6 with a 5.95 ERA (54 ER, 81.2 IP) and 85 strikeouts (9.37 SO/9.0 IP) in 17 starts for the Philadelphia Phillies this season before being released on September 12th. He went 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA (12 ER, 36.2 IP) with 45 strikeouts over his first 10 games of the season and allowed three earned runs or fewer in all six of his starts over that period.

 

In 152 career games (123 starts) between the Houston Astros (2015) and Phillies (2016-21), Velasquez has posted a 31-41 record with a 4.88 ERA (346 ER, 638.1 IP), 264 walks and 700 strikeouts (9.87 SO/9.0 IP). Most notably, he pitched a complete game shutout with no walks and a career high 16 strikeouts against the Padres on April 14, 2016 at Citizens Bank Park. Velasquez was originally selected by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Garey High School in Pomona, Calif.

D-backs reinstate Merrill Kelly from the injured list; place Tyler Gilbert on the 10-day injured list; transfer Kevin Ginkel to the Major League 60-day injured list

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D-backs reinstate Merrill Kelly from the injured list; place Tyler Gilbert on the 10-day injured list; transfer Kevin Ginkel to the Major League 60-day injured list

The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves:

 

Reinstated RHP Merrill Kelly from the injured list.

 

Placed LHP Tyler Gilbert (left elbow fatigue) on the 10-day injured list, retro to Sept. 13.

 

Transferred RHP Kevin Ginkel (right elbow inflammation) to the Major League 60-day injured list.

Red Sox reinstate left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez from COVID-19 related injured list

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Red Sox reinstate left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez from COVID-19 related injured list

Boston returns right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort to Triple-A Worcester roster

 

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today reinstated left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez from the COVID-19 Related Injured List. To make room on the active major league roster, the Red Sox returned right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort to the Triple-A Worcester roster.

 

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

 

Pérez, 30, was placed on the COVID-19 Related Injured List on August 30. The left-hander is 7-8 with a 4.88 ERA (58 ER/107.0 IP) in 31 appearances (22 starts) for the Red Sox this season. He made one rehab appearance with Worcester, throwing a scoreless inning with one strikeout and one hit allowed Sunday against Lehigh Valley.

 

Ort, 29, made his major league debut last night against the Seattle Mariners, pitching one-third of an inning with one walk and one hit allowed. The right-hander leads Triple-A East pitchers in saves, having converted 18 of 20 opportunities while posting a 3.12 ERA (15 ER/43.1 IP) with 59 strikeouts, 20 walks, and four home runs allowed for Worcester.Red Sox reinstate left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez from COVID-19 related injured list

Padres sign LHP Ross Detwiler to Major League contract

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Padres sign LHP Ross Detwiler to Major League contract

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Padres have signed left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler to a Major League contract, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller announced today. To make room on the active 28-man roster, right-hander Shaun Anderson was optioned to Triple-A El Paso.

 

The 35-year-old southpaw went 2-1 with a 4.96 ERA (25 ER, 45.1 IP), 1.24 WHIP and 56 strikeouts over 46 games (five starts) this season with the Miami Marlins. In his 41 relief appearances, he posted a 2.87 ERA (12 ER, 37.2 IP) while holding opposing batters to a .196 (27-for-138) average. Detwiler began the season with a 0.96 ERA (1 ER, 9.1 IP) in April and did not allow a run over his final 10 appearances (8.1 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 11 SO) with the Marlins before being designated for assignment on September 7th.

 

Originally selected by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round of the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Missouri State University, the 13-year Major League veteran has a 29-49 career record with a 4.58 ERA (366 ER, 718.2 IP) and 471 strikeouts in 270 games (100 starts) between the Nationals (2007, 2009-14), Texas Rangers (2015), Atlanta Braves (2015), Cleveland Indians (2016), Oakland Athletics (2016), Seattle Mariners (2018), Chicago White Sox (2019-20) and Marlins (2021).

 

Detwiler will wear No. 45.

AFC Players of the Week – Week 1

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AFC Players of the Week – Week 1

CHIEFS QB PATRICK MAHOMES, RAIDERS DE MAXX CROSBY & BENGALS K EVAN MCPHERSON NAMED AFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 1

Quarterback PATRICK MAHOMES of the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive end MAXX CROSBY of the Las Vegas Raiders and kicker EVAN MCPHERSON of the Cincinnati Bengals are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend 2021 (September 9, 12-13).

OFFENSE: QB PATRICK MAHOMES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

  • Mahomes completed 27 of 36 pass attempts (75 pct.) for 337 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 131.4 rating and added a rushing touchdown in Kansas City’s 33-29 comeback win against Cleveland.
  • This is the sixth-career Offensive Player of the Week Award for Mahomes:
    • 2018: Weeks 1-2
    • 2019: Week 2
    • 2020: Weeks 3, 8
    • 2021: Week 1
  • Mahomes has now won the most-ever Offensive Player of the Week Awards by a Chiefs quarterback, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (five).

DEFENSE: DE MAXX CROSBY, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

  • Crosby registered six tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss in the Las Vegas’ overtime comeback victory over Baltimore on Monday Night Football.
  • This is the second-career Defensive Player of the Week Award for Crosby and third overall Player of the Week Award:
    • 2019: Week 11 (Defense)
    • 2020: Week 17 (Special Teams)
    • 2021: Week 1 (Defense)
  • Crosby’s three Defensive Player of the Week Awards are the most-ever by a former Eastern Michigan player.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K EVAN MCPHERSON, CINCINNATI BENGALS

  • In McPherson’s first-career game, he converted a 53-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and then the game-winning 33-yard field goal as time expired in Cincinnati’s overtime victory over Minnesota.
  • He became the second rookie kicker in NFL history to kick a game-winning field goal with no time remaining in overtime, joining Jason Sanders (October 14, 2018). At 22 years and 53 days old, he also became the youngest kicker in NFL history to kick a game-winner in overtime.
  • McPherson becomes the first rookie kicker to win Special Teams Player of the Week since Indianapolis’ Rodrigo Blankenship in Week 11 of the 2020 season and joins Doug Pelfrey (Week 13, 1993) as the only Cincinnati rookie kickers to earn the honor.

2021 AFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offense Defense Special Teams
Wk 1 QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City DE Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas K Evan McPherson, Cincinnati

NFC Players of the Week – Week 1

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NFC Players of the Week – Week 1

RAMS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD, CARDINALS LB CHANDLER JONES &
BUCCANEERS P BRADLEY PINION NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF WEEK 1

Quarterback MATTHEW STAFFORD of the Los Angeles Rams, linebacker CHANDLER JONES of the Arizona Cardinals and punter BRADLEY PINION of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played on Kickoff Weekend 2021 (September 9, 12-13).

OFFENSE: QB MATTHEW STAFFORD, LOS ANGELES RAMS

  • Making his Rams debut, Stafford completed 20 of 26 pass attempts (76.9 pct.) for 321 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a 156.1 rating in Los Angeles’ Sunday Night Football victory over Chicago.
  • This is Stafford’s second-career Offensive Player of the Week Award (2009, Week 11).
  • He becomes the first former Georgia Bulldog quarterback to win the award multiple times.

DEFENSE: LB CHANDLER JONES, ARIZONA CARDINALS

  • Jones registered six tackles, five sacks, four tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in a historic Kickoff Weekend performance, becoming the third player since 1982 to record at least five sacks in Week 1.
  • This is the fifth-career Player of the Week Award for Jones and fourth with the Cardinals:
    • 2014: Week 2
    • 2018: Week 5
    • 2019: Weeks 7, 16
    • 2021: Week 1
  • Jones ties Adrian Wilson (four) for the most-ever Defensive Player of the Year Awards by a Cardinal.
  • Jones joins Dwight Freeney (six) as the only former Syracuse players to earn Defensive Player of the Week five times.

SPECIAL TEAMS: P BRADLEY PINION, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

  • In the league’s annual primetime Kickoff game on Thursday against Dallas, Pinion’s four punts averaged 49.3 yards, with a net average of 45.8. Three of his four punts landed inside the 10-yard line.
  • This is the second-career Player of the Week Award for Pinion (Week 9, 2018) and first with the Buccaneers.
  • Pinion becomes the first Tampa Bay punter to earn the honor since Bryan Anger (Week 17, 2016).
  • He joins Chris Gardocki (two) as the only former Clemson Tiger punters to earn the award multiple times.

2021 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offense Defense Special Teams
Wk 1 QB Matthew Stafford, L.A. Rams LB Chandler Jones, Arizona P Bradley Pinion, Tampa Bay

2021 ‘Thursday Night Football’ Season Kicks off with NFC East Rivalry

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2021 ‘Thursday Night Football’ Season Kicks off with NFC East Rivalry

Giants-Washington EXCLUSIVELY on NFL Network Thursday at 8:20 PM ET

 

‘NFL GameDay Kickoff’ at 6:00 PM ET –

Michael Irvin 1-on-1 w/ New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard

 

Pregame Coverage Starts with ‘TNF First Look’ at 3:00 PM ET

The 2021 Thursday Night Football Presented by Bud Light Platinum season kicks off Thursday, September 16 when reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young and the Washington Football Team host running back Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants in an NFC East divisional matchup at 8:20 PM ET EXCLUSIVELY on NFL Network.

Giants-Washington will also be available on local broadcast stations in New York (WNBC) and Washington (WTTG). Fans can also stream the game through NFL digital properties across devices (NFL.com, the NFL app and NFL Network app), NFL Network distributors’ apps and sites, and on phones via Yahoo Sports and the Giants and Washington mobile properties. Live game audio of Thursday Night Football will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One, and carried on SiriusXM and TuneIn. For a full listing of Thursday Night Football viewing options, fans can visit NFL.com/watch.

FOX Sports’ lead play-by-play announcer Joe Buck, and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and FOX Sports’ lead analyst Troy Aikman, along with sideline reporters Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink call the action from Landover. Additionally, FOX’s NFL Rules expert Mike Pereira joins to give explanations on officiating and rules throughout the game.

NFL Network’s pregame coverage begins at 3:00 PM ET with TNF First Look hosted by Andrew Siciliano.

At 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network, NFL GameDay Kickoff previews the Giants-Washington matchup with host Colleen Wolfe and analysts Joe Thomas, Steve Smith Sr. and Michael Irvin.

Among the topics discussed this week on NFL GameDay Kickoff include:

  • Michael Irvin sits down with New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard
  • Joe Thomas offers his All-Pro insight on what makes Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young so unstoppable
  • Michael Irvin explains what is missing from New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley in Week 1 and how he can get back on track against Washington
  • Steve Smith Sr. and Joe Thomas discuss whether it’s time for patience or panic after some playoff hopefuls fell in Week 1

At halftime, Wolfe, Thomas, Smith Sr. and Irvin break down the first half. Immediately following the game, the postgame show airs with Wolfe, Thomas, Smith Sr. and Irvin joined by a star of the game. Additional postgame coverage continues at 12 Midnight ET on NFL Network.

Week 2 Injury Report — Wednesday

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Week 2 Injury Report — Wednesday
NEW YORK GIANTS at WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM on Thursday night
NEW YORK GIANTS
 The Giants did not practice Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. The practice reports for those days are estimations.
Status Report
OUT LB Cam Brown (hamstring), TE Evan Engram (calf), G Shane Lemieux (knee)
QUESTIONABLE RB Saquon Barkley (knee)
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Monday LB Cam Brown (hamstring), TE Evan Engram (calf), G Shane Lemieux (knee)
Tuesday LB Cam Brown (hamstring), TE Evan Engram (calf), G Shane Lemieux (knee)
Wednesday LB Cam Brown (hamstring), TE Evan Engram (calf), G Shane Lemieux (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Monday RB Saquon Barkley (knee)
Tuesday RB Saquon Barkley (knee)
Wednesday RB Saquon Barkley (knee)
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
 Washington did not practice Monday or Wednesday. The practice reports for those days are estimations.
Status Report
   (no players listed)
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Monday QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (hip)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Monday RB Antonio Gibson (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Tuesday RB Antonio Gibson (shoulder)
Wednesday RB Antonio Gibson (shoulder)
ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
ATLANTA FALCONS
Practice Report
Wednesday No Injuries to Report
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Practice Report
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday LB Jason Pierre-Paul (hand)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday LB Shaquil Barrett (back), WR Antonio Brown (knee), S Jordan Whitehead (hamstring)
BUFFALO BILLS at MIAMI DOLPHINS
BUFFALO BILLS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DE Mario Addison (not injury related – resting player), WR Cole Beasley (not injury related – resting player), WR Gabriel Davis (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DT Star Lotulelei (calf), WR Isaiah McKenzie (shoulder), LB Matt Milano (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Practice Report
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday TE Adam Shaheen (knee), LB Andrew Van Ginkel (back), WR Preston Williams (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday S Clayton Fejedelem (shoulder), DT John Jenkins (knee), WR DeVante Parker (shoulder), LB Elandon Roberts (knee)
CINCINNATI BENGALS at CHICAGO BEARS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
CHICAGO BEARS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
DALLAS COWBOYS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
DALLAS COWBOYS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday S Donovan Wilson (groin), CB Nahshon Wright (not injury related – personal matter)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DE Demarcus Lawrence (foot)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DE Chauncey Golston (hamstring)
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
DENVER BRONCOS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
DENVER BRONCOS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday CB Tre Herndon (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday CB Tyson Campbell (calf), DE Lerentee McCray (hamstring), DE Jordan Smith (knee)
HOUSTON TEXANS at CLEVELAND BROWNS
HOUSTON TEXANS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday TE Pharaoh Brown (ankle, shoulder), CB Desmond King (knee), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (thigh), WR Andre Roberts (knee), QB Deshaun Watson (not injury related – personal matter)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday CB Lonnie Johnson (thigh)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DE Jonathan Greenard (illness)
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday T Jack Conklin (knee), T Christopher Hubbard (triceps), DT Tommy Togiai (illness), C J.C. Tretter (knee), T Jedrick Wills (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday WR Odell Beckham (knee), S Grant Delpit (hamstring), G Michael Dunn (back), CB Greg Newsome (biceps), WR Anthony Schwartz (knee), LB Mack Wilson (quadricep)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday CB Troy Hill (hamstring)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at BALTIMORE RAVENS on Sunday night
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
 The Raiders did not practice Wednesday. The Wednesday practice report is an estimation.
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday G Denzelle Good (knee), G Richie Incognito (calf), RB Josh Jacobs (toe, ankle), LB Nick Kwiatkoski (concussion), QB Marcus Mariota (quadricep), DT Gerald McCoy (knee), DE Carl Nassib (pectoral, toe), CB Roderic Teamer (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday RB Alec Ingold (fibula), DE Yannick Ngakoue (hamstring), LB Denzel Perryman (hip)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday LB Divine Deablo (ankle), WR Bryan Edwards (elbow), DE Clelin Ferrell (back), DT Johnathan Hankins (knee), C Andre James (elbow), S Dallin Leavitt (hip)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related – resting player), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (not injury related – resting player)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DT Carlos Davis (knee), LB Robert Spillane (shin)
LOS ANGELES RAMS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday LB Darius Leonard (ankle), G Quenton Nelson (foot, back), CB Xavier Rhodes (calf), T Braden Smith (foot)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday T Eric Fisher (Achilles), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (ankle), DE Kwity Paye (hamstring), DE Kemoko Turay (groin)
MINNESOTA VIKINGS at ARIZONA CARDINALS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday T Kelvin Beachum (ribs), WR A.J. Green (not injury related – resting player), WR DeAndre Hopkins (not injury related – resting player), C Rodney Hudson (not injury related – resting player), LB Devon Kennard (hamstring), S Charles Washington (thigh)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at NEW YORK JETS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday T Trenton Brown (calf), LB Kyle Van Noy (throat)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday T Yodny Cajuste (hamstring), LB Ronnie Perkins (shoulder)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday WR Nelson Agholor (ankle), S Kyle Dugger (wrist), CB Jalen Mills (ankle)
NEW YORK JETS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday LB Jamien Sherwood (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday WR Keelan Cole (knee)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at CAROLINA PANTHERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Practice Report
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday G Pat Elflein (hip), DT DaQuan Jones (groin), G John Miller (illness)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday S Juston Burris (neck), S Sean Chandler (hamstring), WR Shi Smith (shoulder)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DE Arik Armstead (adductor), LB Dre Greenlaw (groin), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DE Dee Ford (ankle), LB Marcell Harris (oblique)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (ankle), G Brandon Brooks (knee, not injury related – resting player), S Marcus Epps (concussion), TE Zach Ertz (hamstring, not injury related – resting player), DE Ryan Kerrigan (not injury related – personal matter)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday DT Fletcher Cox (not injury related – resting player), DE Brandon Graham (not injury related – resting player), T Lane Johnson (not injury related – resting player), C Jason Kelce (not injury related – resting player), S Rodney McLeod (knee), RB Miles Sanders (ankle, not injury related – resting player), CB Darius Slay (not injury related – resting player)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday G Landon Dickerson (knee), LB Davion Taylor (calf)
TENNESSEE TITANS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
TENNESSEE TITANS
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday LB Bud Dupree (knee)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday WR A.J. Brown (knee), TE Anthony Firkser (knee), LB Harold Landry (groin), LB David Long (hamstring)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday CB Caleb Farley (shoulder), CB Chris Jackson (hamstring), WR Josh Reynolds (foot), LB Derick Roberson (groin)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Practice Report
Wednesday Practice Not Complete

What To Look For – Week 2

NFL Editor
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What To Look For – Week 2

NO NEED TO PANIC: Since 2002, 136 of the 230 playoff teams (59.1 percent) began the year at either 1-1 or 0-2, including five teams last season and two division champions, NEW ORLEANS (NFC South) and WASHINGTON (NFC East), and the Super Bowl champion TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS. Three of the past four Super Bowl winners lost one of their first two games.

Last season, the first year under the new 14-team playoff format, nine playoff teams began the year by winning their first two games.

Since 1990, 62.7 percent of teams (160 of 255) that start 2-0 advance to the postseason, while 41.6 percent of teams that begin 1-1 (184 of 442) make the playoffs. Out of the 258 teams that began a season 0-2, 30 advanced to the postseason (11.6 percent).

After Week 2, the records of teams that made the playoffs, won divisions and won Super Bowls since 1990:

RECORD MADE PLAYOFFS WON DIVISION WON SUPER BOWL
2-0 62.7% (160/255) 40.8% (104/255) 7.5% (19/255)
1-1 41.6% (184/442) 23.8% (105/442) 2.0% (9/442)
0-2 11.6% (30/258) 5.8% (15/258) 1.2% (3/258)

A look at how playoff clubs in 2019 and 2020 began their seasons:

2019                                                                               2020

Team After 2 games Playoff Result Team After 2 games Playoff Result
Baltimore 2-0 Advanced to Divisional Baltimore 2-0 Advanced to Divisional
Buffalo 2-0 Advanced to Wild Card Buffalo 2-0 Advanced to AFC Champ.
Green Bay 2-0 Advanced to NFC Champ. Chicago 2-0 Advanced to Wild Card
Houston 1-1 Advanced to Divisional Cleveland 1-1 Advanced to Divisional
Kansas City 2-0 Won Super Bowl LIV Green Bay 2-0 Advanced to NFC Champ.
Minnesota 1-1 Advanced to Divisional Indianapolis 1-1 Advanced to Wild Card
New England 2-0 Advanced to Wild Card Kansas City 2-0 Advanced to Super Bowl LV
New Orleans 1-1 Advanced to Wild Card L.A. Rams 2-0 Advanced to Divisional
Philadelphia 1-1 Advanced to Wild Card New Orleans 1-1 Advanced to Divisional
San Francisco 2-0 Advanced Super Bowl LIV Pittsburgh 2-0 Advanced to Wild Card
Seattle 2-0 Advanced to Divisional Seattle 2-0 Advanced to Wild Card
Tennessee 1-1 Advanced to AFC Champ. Tennessee 2-0 Advanced to Wild Card
      Tampa Bay 1-1 Won Super Bowl LV
      Washington 1-1 Advanced to Wild Card

— NFL —

HEY, ROOKIE: Last week in his NFL debut, Jacksonville rookie quarterback TREVOR LAWRENCE passed for 332 yards. It marked the third-most passing yards by a No. 1 overall pick in his first career start in the Super Bowl era, trailing only CAM NEWTON (422 passing yards) and VINNY TESTAVERDE (369).

If Lawrence passes for at least 300 yards on Sunday in his home debut against Denver (1:00 PM ET, CBS), he will join JUSTIN HERBERT (2020), KYLER MURRAY (2019) and Newton (2011) as the only rookies to record at least 300 passing yards in each of their first two starts in NFL history.

The two other rookie quarterbacks that started on Kickoff Weekend – New England’s MAC JONES and the New York Jets’ ZACH WILSON – are scheduled to meet at MetLife Stadium on Sunday (1:00 PM ET, CBS).

If both players start, it will mark the first game since 1970 featuring two starting rookie quarterbacks from the same division in the first two weeks of a season.

— NFL —

SOPHOMORE SURGE: In last week’s season-opening win at Washington, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback JUSTIN HERBERT completed 31 of 47 pass attempts (66 pct.) for 337 yards. This marked his ninth-career game with at least 300 passing yards, after he set the all-time rookie record with eight such games last season.

With at least 300 passing yards on Sunday at SoFi Stadium against Dallas (4:25 PM ET, CBS), Herbert will tie PATRICK MAHOMES (10 games) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (10) for the most games with at least 300 passing yards by a player in his first two seasons in NFL history.

The players with the most games with at least 300 passing yards in their first two seasons in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM GAMES
Patrick Mahomes Kansas City 10
Dan MarinoHOF Miami 10
Jeff Garcia San Francisco 9
Justin Herbert L.A. Chargers 9*
Andrew Luck Indianapolis 9
Kurt WarnerHOF St. Louis Rams 9
*In second season    

Other quarterbacks that can reach career passing milestones in Week 2:

  • With at least 98 passing yards on Monday Night Football against Detroit (8:15 PM ET, ESPN/ABC), Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS (51,378 career passing yards) will surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHN ELWAY (51,475) for the 10th-most passing yards in NFL history.
  • With at least 103 passing yards at Tampa Bay on Sunday (4:05 PM ET, FOX), Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN (55,931 passing yards) will surpass DREW BREES (56,033) for the most passing yards by a player in his first 14 seasons in NFL history.
  • With at least three touchdown passes on Sunday against Las Vegas (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Pittsburgh quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER (397 career touchdown passes) will become the eighth player ever with 400 career touchdown passes.
  • With a win against Tennessee on Sunday (4:25 PM ET, CBS), Seattle quarterback RUSSELL WILSON (99 career regular-season wins) will join Pro Football Hall of Famer PEYTON MANNING (105) as the only quarterbacks to win at least 100 career regular-season games in their first 10 seasons in NFL history.

— NFL —

WALLER BALLER: In last week’s Monday Night Football victory over Baltimore, Las Vegas tight end DARREN WALLER totaled 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Dating back to Week 15 of last season, this marked Waller’s fourth-consecutive game with at least 100 receiving yards.

If Waller records at least 100 receiving yards on Sunday at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM ET, CBS), he will become the first tight end in NFL history to eclipse the 100-yard receiving mark in five consecutive games.

The tight ends with the most consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON(S) GAMES
Darren Waller Las Vegas 2020-21 4*
Tyler Higbee L.A. Rams 2019 4
Travis Kelce Kansas City 2016 4
Jimmy Graham New Orleans 2013 4
Jimmy Graham New Orleans 2011 4
Tony GonzalezHOF Kansas City 2000 4
*Active streak      

— NFL —

FASTEST TO 900: In the league’s annual primetime Kickoff game against Dallas, Tampa Bay wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN recorded five catches for a team-high 121 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. In 140 career games, Brown has 891 receptions for 11,867 yards and 80 total touchdowns.

With at least nine receptions against Atlanta on Sunday (4:05 PM ET, FOX), Brown will become the fastest player (141 games) to reach 900 career receptions in NFL history, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer MARVIN HARRISON (149 games).

The fastest players to reach 900 career receptions in NFL history:

PLAYER TEAM(S) GAMES TO REACH 900 RECEPTIONS
Marvin HarrisonHOF Indianapolis 149
Andre Johnson Houston Texans 150
Brandon Marshall Denver, Miami, Chicago, N.Y. Jets 157
     
Antonio Brown Pittsburgh, New England, Tampa Bay 140*
*Has 891 receptions  

— NFL —

HOT START IN THE DESERT: Last week on Kickoff Weekend, Arizona linebacker CHANDLER JONES totaled a career-high five sacks with two forced fumbles in the Cardinals’ victory in Tennessee. He became the third player to record at least five sacks in a Week 1 game since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer DERRICK THOMAS (six sacks in 1998) and BILL GAY (5.5 sacks in 1983).

With at least two sacks on Sunday against Minnesota (4:05 PM ET, FOX), Jones will tie ANTWAN ODOM (seven sacks in 2009) for the most sacks by a player through the first two weeks of a season since 1982.

The players with the most sacks through Week 2 since 1982:

PLAYER TEAM SEASON SACK
Antwan Odom Cincinnati 2009 7
Bill Gay Detroit 1983 6.5
Many tied     6
       
Chandler Jones Arizona 2021 5*
*Through Week 1      

— NFL —

SAY WATT: Last season, Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. WATT led the league with a career-high 15 sacks and, after totaling 14.5 sacks in 2020 and 13 sacks in 2019, became the sixth player since 1990 with at least 13 sacks in three consecutive seasons. Last week, he registered two sacks in Pittsburgh’s season-opening victory in Buffalo and enters Week 2 with 51.5 career sacks.

T.J.’s brother, J.J. WATT, made his Arizona Cardinals debut last week and his 101 career sacks rank third among all active players.

The brothers have combined for 152.5 sacks in their careers and can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer HOWIE LONG and his son, CHRIS LONG, (154 combined sacks) for the second-most combined sacks among brother or father-son duos since 1982, where each player recorded at least one sack. Only the father-son duo of CLAY MATTHEWS SR. and CLAY MATTHEWS JR. (161 combined sacks) have more.

The brother or father-son duos with the most combined sacks since 1982:

PLAYERS COMBINED SACKS
Clay/Clay Matthews 161
HowieHOF/Chris Long 154
J.J.*/T.J. Watt* 152.5
John HOF/Ervin Randle 145.5
Arthur/Chandler Jones* 112
*Active

THREE POINTS: Houston Dynamo FC travel west to face LA Galaxy

MLS Editor
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THREE POINTS: Houston Dynamo FC travel west to face LA Galaxy

NEED TO KNOW:

Houston travel to Carson, Calif. for the first time since 2019 to face LA Galaxy

Dynamo FW Fafa Picault has scored six goals in last eight games

Dynamo host in-state rival FC Dallas on Saturday at BBVA Stadium

HOUSTON – Houston Dynamo FC travel to Carson, Calif. on Wednesday for their first meeting with the LA Galaxy in Southern California since 2019. Houston looks to extend its unbeaten run against the Galaxy to four games on Wednesday and the Dynamo hold a 12-11-9 record against the five-time MLS Cup champions.

The Dynamo snapped a 16-game winless streak on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Austin FC at BBVA Stadium. Forward Griffin Dorsey scored his first goal of the season in the opening minute of the game, his strike in the 48th second was the fastest goal scored by the Dynamo this season. Dorsey capitalized on a rebound after forward Darwin Quintero forced a save at the far post, Saturday’s game was the first start for Quintero who finished with two shots on target and one key pass.

Forward Fafa Picault finished with a brace against Austin FC and now leads the team with eight goals this season. Picault scored his fourth brace in MLS on Saturday and first for the Dynamo. The forward has scored six goals and adds one assist in his last eight games for Houston. Saturday’s performance earned Picault a spot in the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week.

Goalkeeper and Katy native Michael Nelson earned his first clean sheet in league play on Saturday. Nelson finished with two saves against Austin FC and his effort in the 63rd minute finished with Picault’s second goal of the game after denying Cecilio Domínguez inside the box.

Houston enters Wednesday’s game with a three-game unbeaten streak against the LA Galaxy that began with a 4-2 victory at BBVA Stadium on Oct. 6, 2019. The Dynamo and Galaxy split the series in 2020 with a 1-1 draw on opening day at BBVA Stadium and another 1-1 draw to close group play at the MLS is Back Tournament in Florida.

The Dynamo return to Houston on Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s match against FC Dallas at BBVA Stadium. For tickets, updates and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.

Here are three key points ahead of Wednesday’s game:

FAFA PICAULT WITHIN REACH OF MILESTONE: Dynamo forward Fafa Picault needs two goals to reach 10 this season and match his career-high set in 2018 with the Philadelphia Union. Picault would also be the seventh Dynamo player to reach the milestone and the first since forward Mauro Manotas finished with 13 goals in 2019. The forward has scored six goals in his last eight games and recently led the Dynamo to their first victory since May 22. Five of Picault’s eight goals this season have come against in-state rivals and the Dynamo will welcome one of those rivals to BBVA Stadium on Saturday. Prior to shifting focus to Saturday’s game, the MLS veteran will look to add his first goal against the Galaxy. Prior to Wednesday’s game, Picault has earned two starts against the Galaxy and played in 235 minutes against Los Angeles.

TIM PARKER AMONG FEW IRONMEN IN MLS: Dynamo defender Tim Parker is one of two field players in MLS to play every minute for their team this season. Parker is the only field player in the Western Conference to reach that milestone following 24 games played this season. The center back currently leads the team in games started, games played and minutes. Additionally, the 28-year-old leads the team in blocks with 13 and clearances with 73. The 6-2 defender also leads the backline with 45 aerial duels won through 24 games. Parker will play a key role in Houston’s final push for a postseason spot and has been one of the few constants for the Dynamo, who enter with 21 different lineups this season.

GALAXY BUILD BUFFER IN FINAL STRETCH: The Galaxy look to snap four-game winless run this Wednesday after a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. The Galaxy currently sit comfortably in fourth place in the Western Conference with 37 points but look to gain ground on the top half of the table prior to the end of the season. Mexican international Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez will play a key role in that final push after his return from injury on Saturday. Hernandez leads the team with 10 goals and looks to give the Galaxy their first victory since a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United on Aug. 14. The Dynamo backline will also need to contain Kevin Cabral who enters Saturday’s game with four goals and one assist. The Galaxy midfield also features Jonathan Dos Santos and USMNT attacker Sebastian Lletget, both returned from international duty on Saturday.

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